Special Use Permits

Commercial filming and photography may take place on U.S. Forest Service public lands (National Forests). Like other commercial uses of National Forest System lands or resources, commercial filming and photography requires a Special Use Permit, which is issued by the District Ranger or Forest Supervisor [Authorized Officer] of the relevant forest.

Prior to the issuance of a permit, the Forest Service will determine if there are any environmental concerns in the proposed filming or photo shoot location. The Forest Service may deny permits for practices prohibited on NFS lands.

Commercial filming and photography requests must be submitted to the relevant National Forest office (see below for contact information) 2-3 weeks in advance of anticipated filming date. In order to expedite a filming request, please be aware of the following considerations:

• Commercial filming is defined as use of motion picture, videotaping, sound recording, or any other type of moving image or audio recording equipment on National Forest System lands that involves the advertisement of a product or service, the creation of a product for sale, and/or the use of actors, models, sets, or props, but not including activities associated with broadcasting breaking news. For purposes of this definition, the creation of a product for sale includes a film, videotape, television broadcast, or documentary of historic events, wildlife, natural events, features, subjects or participants in a sporting or recreation event, and so forth, when created for the purpose of generating income.
• Commercial photography is defined as the use of photographic equipment to capture still images on film, digital format, and other similar technologies found on National Forest System lands that: takes place at a location where members of the public are generally not allowed or where additional administrative costs are likely; or uses models, sets, or props that are not part of the site’s natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities.
• Wilderness Areas are congressionally-designated areas on federal lands that are subject to specific management restrictions; human activities are restricted to non-motorized recreation (such as backpacking, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, etc.), scientific research, and other non-invasive activities. Wilderness Areas occur on Forest Service (Department of Agriculture) lands, as well as on lands managed by the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (Department of Interior). A special use permit may only be issued for commercial photography or filming on a US Forest Service Wilderness Area if the activity has a primary objective of disseminating information about the use and enjoyment of wilderness, is wilderness-dependent and an appropriate non-wilderness substitute does not exist, and the activity would not involve the use of any motorized equipment or mechanical transport.

Insurance

The Forest Service may require liability insurance and/or performance bonds to protect the public interest. Typically, one (1) million dollars in general liability may be required. Up to five (5) million may be required for activities that involve the use of a helicopter.

Fees

Land Use Fee

The land use fee is based upon: the numbers of days filming or photography activities taking place; the size of the film/photography crew; and/or the amount and type of equipment present.

Fees for commercial filming (motion picture and television location)

2024  

• 1-10 persons: $306.50/per day
• 11-30 persons: $408.64/per day
• 31-60 persons: $1,021.64/per day
• Over 60 persons: $1,229.88/per day

Fees for still photography (if permit required)

2024

• 1-10 persons: $105.87/per day
• 11-30 persons: $317.53/per day
• Over 30 persons: $529.21/per day

Cost Recovery Fees:

The cost recovery fee covers the administrative and personnel costs associated with issuing the permit.

Submitting Requests

For submitting a filming permit request please allow 2-3 weeks for processing your application before filming is scheduled to begin. Below you will find the proposal and application that must be filled out and submitted to the appropriate permit administrator.

• Filming proposal
• Filming application

For questions regarding or assistance in completing a commercial film or photography permit application please contact the district office.

Commercial or Noncommercial Event

Prior to issuance of a special use permit, it must be determined if the activity is commercial or non-commercial. 

If commercial, a Recreation Event permit is required (see Recreation Event Section).  This includes activities that have entry fees or “donations” that are mandatory for participation. 

If noncommercial, involving more than 75 people (participants and spectators); a Noncommercial Group Use Permit is required. Fees, insurance and bonding are exempted by regulation.

If noncommercial, involving less than 75 people (participants and spectators); a permit is not mandatory but could be desirable to manage the event and associated public conflicts. Fees, insurance and bonding are exempted by regulation.

Noncommercial group use is any activity on National Forest System lands:

1. That involves 75 or more people, either as participants or spectators;
2. Where an entry or participation fee is not charged; and
3. Where the primary purpose is not the sale of a good or service (36 CFR 251.51).

Most visitors enjoy “non-commercial” activities on their National Forests such as berry picking, camping, picnicking, fishing, participating in assemblies, meetings, demonstrations, and parades. In general special use permits are not required for these types of non-commercial recreational uses. However, in some circumstances non-commercial group activities will also need to obtain a recreation special use permit.

In order to be considered a non-commercial group use, there must be:

• No entry or participant fee,
• Fees for direct costs (food, transportation, etc) may be collected based on a bona fide sharing of expenses.
• Donations are not considered fees if they do not exceed direct costs.
• Funds collected in excess of direct costs are returned to participants based on a bona fide sharing of costs.
• Under most circumstances “guides and leaders are not paid or compensated.”
• No sale of goods or services on National Forest lands, and
• No money is charged for a “good or service” beyond a bona fide sharing of direct costs.

Examples

Examples of groups not needing a special use permit:

• Wedding party of 30 people with no fee.
• Family summer camp-out of 50 folks; costs are collected to cover the food.
• Weekend Equestrian Club trip with 10 riders; costs are pooled to cover the actual food and gas costs.

Examples of groups needing a Non-Commercial Group Use Special Use Permit:

• Grandpa's 85th Birthday party of 85 people at a developed campground with no fee or costs.
• Church summer camp-out of 60 folks; costs are collected to cover the food, transportation and the camp cook is paid for the weekend.

Application Process

The following eight criteria must be met for non-commercial group use requests:

1. Authorization of the proposed activity is not prohibited by 36 CFR part 261, Subpart A; by an order issued under 36 CFR part 261, Subpart B; or by Federal, State, or local law unrelated to the content of the expressive activity.
2. Authorization of the proposed activity is consistent or can be made consistent with standards and guidelines in the applicable forest land and resource management plan required under the National Forest Management Act and 36 CFR part 219.
3. The proposed activity does not materially impact the characteristics or functions of environmentally sensitive resources or lands.
4. The proposed activity will not delay, halt, or prevent administrative use of an area by the Forest Service or other scheduled or existing uses or activities on National Forest System lands.
5. The proposed activity does not violate state and local public health laws and regulations as applied to the proposed site.  Issues addressed by State and local public health laws and regulations as applied to the proposed site include:
   1. The sufficiency of sanitation facilities;
   2. The sufficiency of waste disposal facilities;
   3. The availability of sufficient potable drinking water;
   4. The risk of disease from the physical characteristics of the proposed site or natural conditions associated with the proposed site; and
   5. The risk of contamination of the water supply.
6. The proposed activity will not pose a substantial danger to public safety.  Considerations of public safety must not include concerns about a possible reaction to the users' identity or beliefs from nonmembers of the group applying for a permit and must be limited to:
   1. The potential for physical injury to other forest users from the proposed activity;
   2. The potential for physical injury to users from the physical characteristics of the proposed site or natural conditions associated with the proposed site;
   3. The potential for physical injury to users from scheduled or existing uses or activities on National Forest System lands; and
   4. The adequacy of ingress and egress in case of an emergency.
7. The proposed activity does not involve military or paramilitary training or exercises by private organizations or individuals unless such training or exercises are federally funded.
8. A person or persons 21 years of age or older have been designated to sign and do sign a permit on behalf of the applicant.

Fees

There are no fees associated with a non-commercial group use permit.

Submitting Requests

• Application

For questions regarding or assistance in completing a noncommercial group use permit application please contact:

For group use permits in Mt. Shasta, McCloud, Weaverville, Big Bar and Hayfork area, please contact the Mount Shasta Ranger Station

For group use permits on the NRA (Shasta Lake, Trinity Lake, Lewiston Lake), please contact the Shasta Lake Ranger Station

Recreation special use permits are authorizations issued by the Forest Service to conduct commercial recreation activities on National Forest system lands. A commercial recreational use or activity is defined as:

Any use or activity on National Forest System lands (a) where an entry or participation fee is charged, or (b) where the primary purpose is the sale of a good or service, and in either case, regardless of whether the use or activity is intended to produce a profit. (36CFR 251.51)

Recreation events are usually short term in nature and can include organized events such as animal, running, biking races; dog trials; fishing contests; adventure games; and fairs.

Insurance and Bonds

A specific legal entity must be identified as the permit holder.  A performance bonds may be required when needed to ensure return of the site to a satisfactory condition. Permit holders are required to furnish or arrange for appropriate liability insurance, law enforcement, crowd control, safety, and sanitation.

Waivers and Acknowledgement of Risk Forms

Insurance companies often require that their policy holders use Waivers of Liability and/or Acknowledgement of Risk forms.  Even when not an insurance company requirement, special use authorization holders frequently require that their customers sign one or both of these forms before participating in an activity provided by the holder.  The Shasta-Trinity National Forest will be complying with the following policy direction:

1. Appropriately worded Acknowledgement of Risk forms required by insurance companies or special use authority holders are acceptable [Sample].
2. Do not permit use of Waiver of Liability forms [Sample] except for high risk recreation events, such as enduros, road rallies, equestrian events, hang-gliding contests, and so forth.  Many of the forms used for these purposes are unacceptable, because they would have the participant release the U.S. Government from liability for its own negligence. This conflicts with the intent of Congress in the Federal Tort Claims Act, which makes the Federal Government liable for the negligence of its officers and employees acting within the course and scope of their employment. Additionally, these forms may be at variance with state law.

We will not be allowing these forms for guiding where there is a guide in full custody and control of their clients.

Fees

Event Fee

The fee is five percent (5%) of adjusted gross receipts (gross revenue less cost to holder of prizes awarded) for one-time events and three percent (3%) for multiple events under a single permit.  The minimum fee varies year to year, please contact a local ranger district office to verify current year fee.

1. Gross Revenue includes all of the following:

• Event Charges: Fees charged to participate in the event and/or fees charged to spectators to view the event, if applicable.
• Vendor Fees/Sales: Includes, but not limited to, sales from concession stands, raffles booths, etc.  Only include vendors that are located on NFS Lands.
• Discounts: Portion of fees that either the participants, spectators, or sponsors were not required to pay.
• Gratuities: The value of privileges that are not available to the general public and that are donated or provided without charge to the organization or individuals.  For example, but not limited to, a fee entry ($500) to the race for a European Bike Team.
• Sponsorship Fees: A fee each sponsor pays in order to be a part of the event and/or to advertise their product(s) such as, but not limited to, shoes, boats, etc. For example, but not limited to, a sponsor such as Nike or Bass Boat Company, etc. pays the permit Holder $100 to place their product in the event area, or an advertising banner in the vendor area. Only include those that are located on NFS lands.

2. Prizes:  "A reward for victory or superiority, as in a contest or competition." (Random House Dictionary).  Prizes include:

• Cash prizes awarded.
• Cost of merchandise prizes, such as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
• Cost of trophies. 

Prizes are not souvenirs such as, but not limited to, T-shirts, ball caps, socks, pens, tote bags, etc. given to all participants entered into the event.

The Holder must provide receipts to verify costs of all merchandise prizes and trophies. 

Donated prizes cannot be deducted from Gross Revenue.

Cost Recovery Fees

The cost recovery fee covers the administrative and personnel costs associated with issuing the permit. If the permit takes more than 50 hours to process or monitor these fees apply.

Requirements for Bass Tournament Commercial Recreation Events

• All Bass Tournaments need to contact a marina and gain permission to use their facilities for the Bass Tournament.
• The authorized officer must approve recreation event locations and any advertising within the NRA, including the display of logos and event sponsors.
• Unless specifically authorized, fishing tournament participants may not fish within 200 yards of marina docks.
• Fishing tournaments must also be permitted by the California Department of Fish and Game.
• Product demonstration activities at the NRA, such as “Demo Days”, must be sponsored by marinas.
• Prior to the arrival at Shasta, Trinity or Lewiston Lakes, the holder agrees to provide all tournament participants with the enclosed quagga and zebra mussel information flyer which can be found at the following attachment:

Quagga and Zebra Mussel Flyer

This flyer addresses the potential environmental and economic impacts should a vessel that has been moored in infested waters be launched in Shasta or Trinity County waters without the prescribed recommended cleaning and certification.

Any vessels that have been in infested waters within six months of arrival to Shasta, Trinity or Lewiston Lakes must be declared and be subject to inspection prior to launching. The permit holder must certify in writing to the Forest Service prior to the event, that all participants acknowledge these terms and agree to comply with these terms.  Failure to comply with the terms of this permit will result in immediate termination of the permit, and may jeopardize issuance of future permits.

Current information and listing of infested waters can be found here. We also have a podcast that provides additional information.

Submitting Requests

• Application and Operating Plan
• Fee Worksheet

For questions regarding and or assistance in completing a recreation event permit application please contact:

For events in Mt. Shasta and McCloud area, please contact the Mount Shasta Ranger Station.

For events on the NRA (Shasta Lake, Trinity Lake, and Lewiston Lake) area, please contact the Shasta Lake Ranger Station.

For events in Weaverville, Big Bar and Hayfork area, please contact the Weaverville Ranger Station

Commercial Outfitting and Guiding is a use that occurs on National Forest System lands where:

1. Where an entry or participation fee is charged, or
2. Where the primary purpose is the sale of a good or service and, in either case, regardless of whether the use or activity is intended to produce a profit (36 CFR 251.51).

Definitions

Guiding - Providing services or assistance (such as supervision, protection, education, training, packing, touring, subsistence, transporting people, or interpretation) for pecuniary remuneration or other gain to individuals or groups on National Forest System lands.  The term "guide" includes the holder's employees and agents.

Outfitting - Renting on or delivering to National Forest System lands for pecuniary remuneration or other gain any saddle or pack animal, vehicle, boat, camping gear, or similar supplies or equipment.  The term "outfitter" includes the holder's employees and agents.

Objective of Outfitting/Guiding

1. Provide for outfitting and guiding services that address concerns of public health and safety and that foster successful small businesses consistent with the applicable land management plan.
2. Facilitate greater participation in the outfitting and guiding program by organizations and businesses that work with youth and educational groups.
3. Encourage skilled and experienced individuals and entities to conduct outfitting and guiding activities in a manner that protects environmental resources and ensures that national forest visitors receive high-quality services.

When Permits Are Required

1. Individuals or entities conducting outfitting or guiding activities on National Forest System lands shall be authorized under a special use permit.
2. Outfitters based off National Forest System lands who rent and deliver equipment or livestock to the public on National Forest System lands shall obtain a permit if they, their employees, or agents occupy or use National Forest System lands or related waters in connection with their rental programs.
   • For example, a permit is required if a boat livery operator provides service, including delivery or pickup of boats, at sites on National Forest System lands.
   • No permit is necessary if an operator's customers transport rented equipment to and from National Forest System lands or if services are provided to Forest Service employees, Forest Service contractors, or other Federal officials in the course of their official duties.

Temporary Outfitter and Guide Permits

• Permits will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis during the open season periods.
• Allocate use in increments of 50 service days, up to a maximum of 200 service days.
• Issuance of a temporary use permit to a prospective permit holder does not commit the Forest Service to authorize a temporary use permit in the future. These permits must be requested they will not be automatically renewed.
• Violations of law, customer complaints, and adverse outfitting and guiding performance ratings will be considered in evaluating applicants’ technical qualifications for future temporary outfitter/guide permit requests.

Program Requirements

Review the following documents to make sure you meet the outfitter/guide requirements before submitting your application materials.

• Shasta-Trinity National Forest Outfitter/Guide Information and Operating Plan Instructions
• Guide Identification Letter
• Accessibility Guidebook for Outfitting and Guiding
• Accessibility and Outfitters/Guides Operating on Public Lands   (external YouTube hosted video presentation link)
• Civil Rights Requirements
• Insurance - Permit holders are required to furnish or arrange for appropriate liability insurance. The minimum limits can be found below:

The Insurance Policy must also meet all the following conditions:

1. They name the U.S. Government as additional insured.

Below is the appropriate address for the additionally insured documentation

     Shasta-Trinity National Forest

     Shasta Lake Ranger Station

     14225 Holiday Road

     Redding, CA 96003

1. They meet the minimum coverage requirements for the authorized activities shown in above or as required by state law or regulation.
2. They include an appropriate 30-day notification clause in case of cancellation or amendment of coverage.  When premiums are paid in full prior to use, 10-day notification of cancellation for non-payment of premiums is acceptable.
3. The exclusions (if any) listed on the Certificate of Insurance do not include any of the activities/operations authorized by the permit.

Application Materials

If you have carefully reviewed all of the program requirements above and would like your activity to be considered for a temporary outfitter and guide permit, you will need to submit the following application materials:

• Cover Letter providing a brief description of what your application includes and what you are proposing.
• Completed and Signed Application – FS-2700-3f
• Application Question 2
• Operating Plan Template
• Certificate of Insurance

There are several components in the application so be sure to read through it first and make sure you cover all parts. We do provide an Operating Plan Template which is required as item number 6 in the application. Also included in the Operating Plan Template that is also required in the application are items number 3-advertising, 4-client charges, 5-guide identification, and 8-client’s acknowledgement of risk form. You do not need to provide these twice, please just note See Operating Plan in the application for those line items.  

How to Submit Your Application 

Beginning on January 1, 2018, and annually thereafter, the Shasta-Trinity National Forest will accept completed applications for temporary outfitter and guide permit requests on National Forest System lands and waters during two 30-day periods:

• January 1-31 for activities that occur in spring-fall; permits requested in this open season will be issued at latest April 1
• September 1-30 for activities that occur in winter; permits requested in this open season will be issued at latest Dec 1 

Applications accepted during these open seasons will be date stamped and evaluated in the order they were received. Once the review process has been completed, applicants will be notified of the outcome, and the requirements, if any for processing applications. Please allow 6-8 weeks for the initial review of your application package. For requests that are received outside the open season, we will be returning them with notice to re-submit during the next open season period.

Fully completed applications must be submitted via email or at the Mt. Shasta Ranger Station at the following addresses:

Email applications to:

Jeremy.Fendley@usda.gov for Mt. Shasta and McCloud

or

Amber.Machado@usda.gov for Shasta Lake and Weaverville

Flat Fee for Temporary Use Permits

Outfitter and Guides will be required to pay in advance for anticipated service days, this payment is non-refundable. Authorized Outfitter and Guide permits are limited to a maximum of 200 service days per permit. You will request your service days in the Description of Proposed Activities in the application.

1. Charge a flat land use fee for temporary use permits based on the amount of use allocated in service days as follows:

1. Column 3 in the table above shows the maximum amount of gross revenue for each bracket of service days that qualifies for a flat fee.  If gross revenue exceeds the amount in the applicable bracket, you may be required to submit tax documents and will be billed based on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest Fee Schedule which is updated every 5 years.

Permittees will be required to submit an Actual Use Report form, documenting activities and locations and the actual number of service days used at the end of their guide season. The link to this form is below:

Actual Use Report

After Submission

All applicants will receive an email or phone call the first couple of weeks of February or October (depending on which open season the application was submitted in) notifying them of acceptance or denial of their proposal. If your application is accepted, edits to your Operating Plan may be provided back to the applicant for correction. You will be required to re-submit your Operating Plan with corrections before you receive an executed permit. Your executed permit and guide pass(s) will be mailed to the applicant after the permit fees have been paid. 

Priority Use Permits

For guide companies that plan to operate their business on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest year after year may qualify for a priority use permit after a two year probation period under a temporary outfitter-guide permit. Some benefits that come with a priority use permit include:

• Permits will be authorized for up to 10-years
• When a priority use permit terminates, the permit is subject to renewal without competition, provided that the use authorized by the permit is consistent with the applicable land management plan, applicable laws and regulations, and the terms of the permit and the holder has performed satisfactorily as demonstrated by acceptable performance ratings.
  • In renewing a priority use permit, the authorized officer may prescribe new terms and conditions.
  • Change in ownership for a priority use permit:
    1. A priority use permit is a privilege acquired by demonstrated acceptable performance and is not transferable, either upon the sale of the business entity or the sale of a controlling interest in the business entity,
    2. The permit is not real property, does not convey any interest in real property, and may not be used as collateral,
    3. Upon consummation of a change of ownership of or controlling interest in the business entity, the holder's permit terminates, and
    4. The party who acquires ownership of or a controlling interest in the business entity may be issued a permit if the authorized officer determines that the prospective holder meets Forest Service requirements, including financial and technical capability.
• The service day allocation can be more than 200 service days per year
• Less paperwork is required each year for your permit requirements

How to Transition from Temporary to Priority Use

1. The outfitter/guide business will need to request a priority use permit during the open season.
2. Must complete two-year probationary temporary outfitter/guide permit before being eligible to apply for a priority use permit. Acceptance as a priority use permit will be dependent on documentation of satisfactory performance as a temporary permit holder.  Monitoring will be based on the following:
   1. Submits financial paperwork in a timely manner
   2. No delinquent fees
   3. No violations of law, customer complaints, or adverse outfitting and guiding performance ratings
3. Must have the financial/technical capability of operating a successful business for 10+ years. This will be shown by completing and submitting a business plan in addition to your application materials.

Mount Shasta and McCloud receive many requests from tour companies making stops on the district each year. Most of these tour groups are organized by a travel agent and a language interpreter accompanies the group. The trips are unguided but rather organized in advance to accommodate stops in town and to the local outdoor attractions where a paved road is present for access. These tours are considered commercial and therefore require a permit. 

Commercial Outfitting and Guiding is a use that occurs on National Forest System lands where:

1. Where an entry or participation fee is charged, or
2. Where the primary purpose is the sale of a good or service and, in either case, regardless of whether the use or activity is intended to produce a profit (36 CFR 251.51).

Definitions

• Guiding - Providing services or assistance (such as supervision, protection, education, training, packing, touring, subsistence, transporting people, or interpretation) for pecuniary remuneration or other gain to individuals or groups on National Forest System lands. The term "guide" includes the holder's employees and agents.
• Outfitting - Renting on or delivering to National Forest System lands for pecuniary remuneration or other gain any saddle or pack animal, vehicle, boat, camping gear, or similar supplies or equipment. The term "outfitter" includes the holder's employees and agents.

The Following Locations are not Authorized for Bus Tours Special Use Permits:

• Panther Meadows (this area is sensitive meadow ecosystem that can be easily damaged as well as a culturally sensitive location to our local tribes)
• Heart Lake (the route to this location trespasses on private land and is in Castle Crags Wilderness where the temporary commercial event opportunities can be met in other locations outside of wilderness in order to uphold the wilderness characteristics of solitude)
• South Gate Meadows (this area is a sensitive meadow ecosystem that can be easily damaged and currently has trail restoration needs due to high traffic and unauthorized user created trails. This area is also in the Mt. Shasta Wilderness where temporary commercial event opportunities can be met in other locations outside of wilderness in order to uphold the wilderness characteristics of solitude)
• Mt. Shasta Wilderness (The temporary commercial event opportunities can be met in other locations outside of wilderness in order to uphold the wilderness characteristics of solitude)
• Castle Crags Wilderness (The temporary commercial event opportunities can be met in other locations outside of wilderness in order to uphold the wilderness characteristics of solitude)

Locations that are Recommended for Commercial Temporary Special Use Permits:

• Old Ski Bowl (no overnight use authorized)
• Bunny Flat
• Castle Lake (only for buses smaller than 30 feet due to limited parking and limited space to turn around)
• McCloud Falls (only for buses smaller than 30 feet due to limited parking and limited space to turn around)

Forest Service Requirements in order to Issue a Special Use Permit

Insurance: minimum insurance requirement $500,000.

The Insurance Policy must also meet all the following conditions:

1. They name the U.S. Government as additional insured.  Below is the appropriate address for the additionally insured documentation:
   
        U.S. Government
        c/o Shasta-Trinity National Forest
        204 West Alma Street
        Mount Shasta, CA 96067
        Attn: Kristian Schenk
    
2. They meet the minimum coverage requirements for the authorized activities shown in above or as required by state law or regulation.
3. They include an appropriate 30-day notification clause in case of cancellation or amendment of coverage. When premiums are paid in full prior to use, 10-day notification of cancellation for non-payment of premiums is acceptable.
4. The exclusions (if any) listed on the Certificate of Insurance do not include any of the activities/operations authorized by the permit.
5. Some insurance policies stipulate that coverage for legal defense costs and supplementary payments is limited, and any payment of legal defense costs or supplementary payments reduces the limits of remaining coverage. When holders' activities are covered by policies containing this stipulation, authorized officers shall require the holder to have liability coverage greater than the minimum shown in preceding direction. For example, if the required minimum shown is $300,000, and the policy has the legal defense cost stipulation, the authorized officer shall require $500,000 coverage. If the minimum shown is $500,000, the authorized officer shall require $1,000,000 coverage.

Fees: 3% of generated income (prorated based on the days spent on National Forest System Lands).

You will be billed a minimum fee of $115 which is not refundable. The Fee Worksheet below will walk you through establishing your Estimated Fee. If your estimated fee is below $115 you will be billed $115.

• Fee Worksheet (requires Microsoft Excel or compatible program to use)
• Explanation for completing Excel fee Worksheet  (requires Microsoft Word or compatible program to use​)

Application:

Application

Question 2 of Application

Operating Plan

Hire a Tour Guide

If you are an un-guided tour group and would like to have someone along that knows the area and provides local and historical information about the area and the sites consider hiring one of the two bus tour guides the Shasta-Trinity National Forest has permitted. If you hire a permitted tour guide you do not need to get a permit of your own for the trips on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.  

Advertising

Once you have received your permit you are required to put the following information on your website and brochures:

“This institution is operated under special use permit with the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and operates on a non-discriminatory basis.”

You are not authorized to advertise until you have applied for and received your special use permit.

Please contact the Mt. Shasta Ranger Station for more information as well as to apply for a permit:

The Forest Service Recreation Residence program was developed to provide private citizens with the opportunity to own a single-family cabin in designated areas on the National Forests. These privately owned cabins, commonly referred to as "summer homes", are located within formally established tracts designated for that purpose. There are currently 165 Recreation Residences permitted in six tracts on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.  No additional recreation residences will be permitted.

Five tracts; Didallis I & II, Campbell Creek, Salt Creek, and Silverthorn, are located on the Shasta Lake district within the Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area.  The sixth tract is Forest Glen and is located on the South Fork Trinity River on the South Fork Management Unit. The tracts were created in the 1930’s and 1940’s with the earliest documented cabin construction in 1943 in the Forest Glen tract. The tracts around Shasta Lake were established in 1948 and by the end of 1952 nearly all the lots were taken. By 1965 there were a total of 160 lots around Shasta Lake and 11 lots at Forest Glen.

The Forest Service policy is to manage the recreation residence program, to the extent practicable, to preserve the opportunity for individual and family-oriented recreation while also maintaining the natural forest setting and preventing a trend towards urbanization. The cabin owners obtain a Special Use Permit from the Forest Service which allows them to maintain and use their cabin on National Forest System lands for recreational use on a part-time basis. Cabin Fee Act Information FAQ  

• Recreational Home Historic Character Guide 2014
• Forest Service Handbook 2709.11 Chapter 40 –Recreation Residence
• Recreation Residence Tract Maps

Prospective and Current Owners and Realtors

• Buying and owning a Recreation Residence Cabin on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest
• Recreation Residence Special-Use Permits and Living Trusts
• Recreation Residence Sample Permit
• Application -FS-2700-3a
• Proof of Principle Residence documentation
• National Forest Homeowners webpage

Doing Work On Your Recreation Residence Cabin? Get Approval!

• Project Request Form
• Site plan example
• Paint & Stain Colors
• Hazard Tree Mitigation - 2021
• Fire Clearance
• Defensible Space Flyer
• Native Vegetation list
• Visible Danger Tree Indicators Poster - 2014

Information on Historic Preservation

• National Trust for Historic Preservation
• National Register of Historic Places (National Park Service)
• Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
• California State Historic Preservation Office
• Recreational Home Historic Character Guide 2014

For houseboats on Shasta Lake, please call the Shasta Lake Ranger Station message phone number (530)242-5507 and send email correspondence to sm.fs.spu.shastalakehouseboats@usda.gov  

For houseboats on Trinity Lake, please contact Amber Machado at (530)510-3015 and send email correspondence to amber.machado@usda.gov  

Mount Shasta has become a growing spiritual destination and the Cities of Mt. Shasta, Weed and McCloud are hosting a growing number of spiritual workshops, retreats and conferences. The Shasta-Trinity National Forest along the Everitt Memorial Highway and other local easy access spots such as Castle Lake and the McCloud Falls have been of great interest for hosting field trip components from these workshops. These field trips include meditation sessions, yoga or spiritual events for a few hours then the groups go back to town. These tours are considered commercial and therefore require a permit.

Commercial Outfitting and Guiding is a use that occurs on National Forest System lands where:

1. Where an entry or participation fee is charged, or
2. Where the primary purpose is the sale of a good or service and, in either case, regardless of whether the use or activity is intended to produce a profit (36 CFR 251.51).

Definitions

• Guiding - Providing services or assistance (such as supervision, protection, education, training, packing, touring, subsistence, transporting people, or interpretation) for pecuniary remuneration or other gains to individuals or groups on National Forest System lands.  The term "guide" includes the holder's employees and agents.
• Outfitting - Renting on or delivering to National Forest System lands for pecuniary remuneration or other gain any saddle or pack animal, vehicle, boat, camping gear, or similar supplies or equipment.  The term "outfitter" includes the holder's employees and agents.

Commercial Temporary Special Use Permits WILL NOT be authorized for the following locations:

• Panther Meadows (this area is sensitive meadow ecosystem that can be easily damaged as well as a culturally sensitive location to our local tribes)
• Heart Lake (the route to this location trespasses on private land and is in Castle Crags Wilderness where the temporary commercial event opportunities can be met in other locations outside of wilderness in order to uphold the wilderness characteristics of solitude)
• South Gate Meadows (this area is a sensitive meadow ecosystem that can be easily damaged and currently has trail restoration needs due to high traffic and unauthorized user created trails. This area is also in the Mt. Shasta Wilderness where temporary commercial event opportunities can be met in other locations outside of wilderness in order to uphold the wilderness characteristics of solitude)
• Mt. Shasta Wilderness (The temporary commercial event opportunities can be met in other locations outside of wilderness in order to uphold the wilderness characteristics of solitude)
• Castle Crags Wilderness (The temporary commercial event opportunities can be met in other locations outside of wilderness in order to uphold the wilderness characteristics of solitude)

Locations that are recommended for Commercial Temporary Special Use Permits:

• Old Ski Bowl (no overnight use authorized)
• Bunny Flat
• Red Fir Flat Day Use Area (only for groups less than 15 people)
• Sand Flat
• Castle Lake (only for groups less than 15 people)
• McCloud Falls (only for groups less than 25 people)

Requirements for a Temporary Commercial Event Permit

Application:  Please make note that the application is a generic application for most of our permit requests. Many of the required information is non/applicable. Make sure to fill out only sections 1-7 and include the following information in section 7:

• Dates of event
• Locations you plan/wish to go to on the National Forest
• Anticipated number of paying clients attending the event
• Activities that will occur
• If you are providing transportation or not  

Download Application

Question 2 of Application

Operating Plan

Insurance: minimum insurance requirement $300,000 if you are not providing transportation and $500,000 if you are providing transportation

The Insurance Policy must also meet all the following conditions:

1. They name the U.S. Government as additional insured.

Below is the appropriate address for the additionally insured documentation:

     US Government

     c/o Shasta-Trinity National Forest

     204 West Alma Street

     Mount Shasta, CA 96067

     Attn: Jeremy Findley

1. They meet the minimum coverage requirements for the authorized activities shown in above or as required by state law or regulation.
2. They include an appropriate 30-day notification clause in case of cancellation or amendment of coverage.  When premiums are paid in full prior to use, 10-day notification of cancellation for non-payment of premiums is acceptable.
3. The exclusions (if any) listed on the Certificate of Insurance do not include any of the activities/operations authorized by the permit.
4. Some insurance policies stipulate that coverage for legal defense costs and supplementary payments is limited, and any payment of legal defense costs or supplementary payments reduces the limits of remaining coverage.  When holders' activities are covered by policies containing this stipulation, authorized officers shall require the holder to have liability coverage greater than the minimum shown in preceding direction.  For example, if the required minimum shown is $300,000, and the policy has the legal defense cost stipulation, the authorized officer shall require $500,000 coverage.  If the minimum shown is $500,000, the authorized officer shall require $1,000,000 coverage.

Fees: Flat Fee for Temporary Commercial Event Permits

Businesses will be required to pay in advance for anticipated service days, this payment is non-refundable. There is a maximum service day limit of 200 service days per permit. You will request your service days in your application in section 7. A service day is the amount of paying people you have attending the event multiplied by the number of days you will be on the National Forest.

Advertising:  

You are not authorized to advertise until you have applied for and received your special use permit.  Once you have received your permit you are required to put the following information on your website and brochures:

“This institution is operated under special use permit with the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and operates on a non-discriminatory basis.”

Contact

For questions and or assistance in completing the Application, please contact the Mount Shasta Ranger Station.